Who Jesus Christ is to a Believer

Introduction

There is a story of a Persian king who ruled in magnificent style, yet liked to disguise himself and spend time with his people. Once when he had dressed as a poor man, he descended to a damp cellar where a lonely man seated on a pile of ashes was loading coal into a furnace. The king sat with him and they talked. When lunch approached, the poor man shared his coarse, black bread and stale water with his companion. Time and again the king returned to be a friend to this lonely man who was so grateful for the compassion and good advice that he opened his heart completely to this friend who seemed as poor as himself. After a while, the king decided that he would reveal his true position and see what the man would request from him. He explained that though he appeared poor, he was the great King. Instead of the expected petition, the poor man looked with wonder and love on his king. At last the king spoke, “Don’t you understand? I can make you wealthy or powerful with a word. Do you not have anything to ask?” Gently the man replied. “Yes, my king, I understand. But what you have done to leave your place of glory and sit with me in this dark place, to share in my course meals, and to care whether I am happy or sad – even you can grant me nothing more precious. Others you have given rich presents, but to me you have given yourself. I only ask that you never withdraw this gift of your friendship.” This story is a little picture of what it means that the Son of God, equal to the Father in glory and power, became a man and lived, ate, slept, worked, suffered, and died like us. He didn’t just give us His rich gifts, though He has bestowed those on us abundantly. He went far beyond that and gave us Himself. Colossians 2:6-10 speaks of the relationship those who have received Christ have with Him.

Observation

Pray

Before reading this passage, pray to its Author and Subject, Jesus Christ, who is God and yet desires to help you understand Himself and how you are to relate to Him.

Read Focus Verses

Today’s passage, Colossians 2:6-10, is short but speaks of very important things. As you read, identify the person to whom everything is related in these verses.

The Center

Who is the center of this passage to whom everything else is related?

Titles

What titles and names are used for Jesus Christ in this passage?

Keyword – Jesus Christ

By marking all of the references to Christ in this passage, we will be reminded who it is about.

The Lord

Mark all of the titles, names, and pronouns (like He, Him, and His) that refer to Jesus Christ in Colossians 2:6-10.

To Whom

Verse 6 identifies the type of people to whom this passage is written. How have they responded to Jesus Christ that defines their relationship to Him and this passage?

Now What

This passage is to people who have received Jesus Christ as Lord. In your own words, what do verses 6-8 tell these people to do now that they have received Christ?

Why?

Verses 9-10 explain why believers are to live like verses 6-8 described. In your own words, why does this passage explain that Christians are supposed to follow Jesus Christ and obey Him not the world?

Overflowing

What are Christians supposed to overflow with according to verse 7?

Keyword – Beware!

There is a very strong warning in verse 8. Mark this warning to visually emphasize its importance.

Be Very Careful!

Mark the warning that opens verse 8.

Be Aware!

What does verse 8 warn Christians to be careful of?

In Him

What dwells in Jesus Christ?

Complete

Believers are complete in whom?

The Head

What else are we told about Jesus Christ in verse 10?

Interpretation

Receiving Christ

John 1:12-13 also speaks of receiving Christ. Notice how it speaks of those who have received Him.

Explain

What about the Lord Jesus Christ must you receive?

Following

Read 1 John 2:6 and consider how it relates to the command in Colossians 2:6.

So Walk

According to 1 John 2:6, what does it mean to live out a Christian’s identity as Christ’s follower?

Established

Colossians 2:7 sounds similar to 1:21-23.

Important

Why is it important for a believer to be established in Christ and not move away from Him?

With Thanksgiving

There are so many passages in Scripture that speak about giving thanks like verse 7 in today’s passage. Let’s look at two beginning in Colossians 3:15-17.

Give Thanks

Notice that 1 Thessalonians 5:18 also speaks of giving thanks abundantly.

How Much

Based on what you’ve seen in these verses, how would you describe how important it is for a Christian to give thanks and how much they should be thankful?

Robbed

In verse 8, Christians are warned not to let the world spoil them of their rewards through the world’s deceit. Look at the word picture of a prisoner of war being spoiled in the word used in this verse.

Philosophies

God summarizes the world’s deceitful philosophy in 1 John 2:15-17.

Opposed

Why can a believer not accept Christ and the philosophies of the world?

The Godhead

This short post explains how other verses in Scripture shed light on the marvelous truth of verse 9 that Jesus Christ is fully God and yet fully man. In His human body He was still the fullness of God.

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Complete

Verse 10 reminds us that those who have received Christ are complete in Him. Read these 13 things Scripture tells us that it means for a Christian to be “in Christ.”

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What a Friend!

Perhaps thinking about this precious hymn, “What a Friend We Have in Jesus,” will help you become more established in Christ today.

Application

Receiving Christ

Have you received Jesus Christ as Lord by believing everything He says about Himself and accepting His sacrifice on your behalf for eternal salvation? How do you know?

Have You Been Robbed?

If you have received Christ, have you let something rob you of reward by deceiving you with the philosophies and ideas of this world? How will you get back to Jesus Christ and walk with Him today?

Wrapup

Closing

We hope this study has helped you understand what Jesus Christ is in a believer’s life.

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